SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Go Shopping

Italian Phrase

Sto facendo la lista della spesa.

/sto faˈtʃen.do la ˈli.sta ˈdel.la ˈspɛ.za/
Meaning"I am making the shopping list."
💡

Meaning

I am currently making the shopping list. The sentence uses the present progressive to highlight that the action is in progress at this moment.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you are in the middle of writing down the items you need to buy, whether you’re at home, on your phone, or chatting with a friend before heading to the market.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Stofacendolalistadellaspesa

1

Present Progressive (Sto + Gerundio)

Use 'sto' followed by the gerund form of a verb to express an action happening right now.

2

Gerundio of 'fare'

'Fare' becomes 'facendo' in the gerund, indicating the ongoing act of making or doing.

3

Prepositional Contraction 'della'

'della' is the contraction of 'di' + 'la', used here to link 'lista' with 'spesa'.

4

Set Phrase 'lista della spesa'

A fixed expression meaning 'shopping list', commonly used in everyday Italian.

🗨In Conversation

A

Cosa stai facendo?

What are you doing?

Sto facendo la lista della spesa.

I’m making the shopping list.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Sto fare la lista della spesa.

    The verb must be in gerund form after 'sto'; use 'facendo' not the infinitive.

  • Sono facendo la lista della spesa.

    The auxiliary for the present progressive is 'sto', not 'sono'.

  • Sto facendo la lista di spesa.

    While understandable, the idiomatic expression is 'lista della spesa'.

↔Alternatives

  • Sto preparando la lista della spesa.

    I’m preparing the shopping list.

  • Sto scrivendo la lista della spesa.

    I’m writing the shopping list.

  • Sto facendo la lista della spesa per domani.

    I’m making the shopping list for tomorrow.

it

Cultural Tip

In Italy, it’s common to jot down a 'lista della spesa' before going to the market or supermarket. Many Italians still prefer a paper list, though smartphones are increasingly popular. Mentioning the list in conversation signals you’re organized and ready to shop, a habit especially valued in family households.